Ball type shut in tool

Abstract

A ball valve type shut in tool having utility in gravel packing operations. The tool comprises a tubular housing having a mechanically actuated valve ball disposed therein. The ball is locked in an open or closed mode by the force of a ring spring expanding into two longitudinally spaced annular recesses in the housing. The ball is moved between an open and a closed mode by an operating sleeve comprising spring fingers which is disposed at the end of a wash pipe or production string. Insertion of the operating sleeve into the tool opens the ball; withdrawal of the operating sleeve from the tool closes the ball.

We claim: 
     
       1. A ball type shut in tool for use in a well bore, comprising: substantially tubular housing means including an upper body having two longitudinally spaced annular recesses on the bore wall thereof, a case therebelow, and a liner nipple;   a substantially tubular stinger guide slidable inside said housing means and having an annular protrusion on the interior wall thereof;   an operating arm connector secured to said stinger guide and defining an annular recess therewith;   an expandable locking ring contained in said annular recess;   operating arms secured to said operating arm connector, said operating arms being of longitudinal extent and arcuate cross section and having ball lugs inwardly projecting therefrom;   a substantially tubular connector seat having cut out sections through the wall thereof through which said ball lugs extend, said connector seat cut out sections and said operating arms having subtantially the same radius of curvature;   a ball having a substantially diametrically oriented bore therethrough and lug recesses in the exterior thereof adapted to receive said ball lugs;   upper and lower ball seats, said upper ball seat disposed between said ball and said connector seat, and said lower ball seat disposed between said ball and said liner nipple;   said case, said liner nipple and said connector seat defining arcuate recesses adapted to receive the lower portions of said operating arms, said connector seat being secured to said liner nipple and surrounded by said case.   
     
     
       2. The tool of claim 1, further including a stinger adapted to be connected to the end of tubing means, and inserted into said housing means, said stinger comprising a plurality of downwardly oriented circumferentially spaced spring fingers having outward extending protrusions thereon of a radial extent greater than the stinger guide annular protrusion. 
     
     
       3. The tool of claim 1, further including backup springs adapted to urge said upper and lower ball seats against said ball. 
     
     
       4. The tool of claim 1, wherein said ball is closed by rotating said ball to orient its bore perpendicular to the bore of said tool.